New Delhi: Chelsea have progressed to the Europa Conference League semi-finals, but their home fans were left far from satisfied after a 2-1 home loss to Legia Warsaw in the second leg. The defeat didn’t damage their overall hopes as the aggregate score of 4-3 gave them an edge, as in the first leg they registered a commanding 3-0 victory over the Polish side. However, the win was followed by boos, raising fresh concerns about the team’s mentality and consistency under Enzo Meresca.
Legia stunned the home crowd early on when Tomas Pekhart slotted home a penalty in the 10th minute. The spot-kick was awarded after Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen, starting in place of Robert Sanchez, brought down Pekhart in the box. Jorgensen dived the right way but allowed the ball to slip past his gloves, giving the Polish side an unexpected lead and a reason to celebrate wildly in the away end.
The hosts responded later in the first half when Marc Cucurella found the back of the net from close range, following an assist from Jadon Sancho. The Spaniard looked to have scored a second before the break, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Despite holding onto possession in the second half, the Blues were undone again in the 53rd minute when Legia defender Steve Kapuadi powered home a header to restore the visitors’ lead on the night. Chelsea substitutes Noni Madueke and Tyrique George came close to equalising, but their efforts either flew wide or were flagged offside including George’s goal that was chalked off late in the match.
Supporters growing restless amid inconsistency
The mood around Stamford Bridge has turned increasingly sour, while they have shown flashes of potential under Maresca but inconsistency has been their biggest problem throughout the season. The manager had asked his players to “engage” with fans before the match but the team’s flat display did little to stir the atmosphere.
Captain Reece James didn’t shy away from addressing the issue post-match. “We had a 3-0 lead, maybe that played a part in taking our foot off the gas,” he said. “That wasn’t progress. If anything, it was a step back. Maybe we disrespected the competition.”
🚨 Reece James:
“Today that was for sure not progress; if anything, it was a step back. Maybe we disrespected the competition today, but this is football; if you don’t prepare right, you will pay.” 😳
(@footballontnt) #CFC pic.twitter.com/qdDpXmYpLP
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) April 17, 2025
James’ honesty struck a chord with many supporters as did his admission that preparation might have been lacking. It was a sentiment echoed to some extent by Maresca, who suggested the squad perhaps underestimated the opponent rather than the competition itself.
Premier League form a growing concern
Chelsea’s domestic form is doing little to ease the nerves. The Blues have now gone eight consecutive away matches in the league without a win, a run stretching back to their thrilling 4-3 triumph over Tottenham in December. At home, they were unbeaten in eight before the Legia result, but performances have rarely convinced.
A goalless draw at Brentford followed by a frustrating 2-2 home result against struggling Ipswich Town, has seen them drop to sixth in the Premier League table. With just six games left and the top five securing Champions League football next season, Chelsea’s margin for error is vanishing. Newcastle United have climbed to third while Manchester City and Aston Villa are neck and neck with the Blues, making every fixture from here on out crucial.
Goal drought in the camp
The more alarming problem is the goal drought among Chelsea’s attacking players. Cole Palmer hasn’t scored in his last 15 appearances, Nicolas Jackson is goalless in 12, and Christopher Nkunku hasn’t found the net in eight games. Sancho, despite his creative spark, has only recently ended a 21-game scoring drought against Ipswich.
With goals drying up from the forwards, it’s telling that left-back Marc Cucurella, who is primarily known for his defensive work, has been the most reliable scorer since mid-December, with six goals to his name.
Maresca admitted it’s far from ideal. “We’re missing very easy chances. The one scoring at the moment is Cucurella—that’s not a good thing because he’s not the one who should be scoring goals.”
🚨 Enzo Maresca on strikers not scoring:
“Especially the ones that we are missing, unfortunately are very easy goals. In the first five minutes, we had two good chances. It can happen. Hopefully Nico and Cole can very soon start to score goals.”
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) April 17, 2025
The road ahead
While the defeat to Legia hasn’t derailed Chelsea’s European ambitions, it has certainly cast doubt over their form heading into the final stretch of the season. With a crucial league clash against Fulham up next, Maresca described it as a “final” that could spark momentum in their race for a Champions League spot.
Whether the players rise to the occasion remains to be seen. For now, they have survived the scare in Europe but the pressure is piling up fast.
Chelsea edge past Legia Warsaw to reach the Europa Conference League semis, chasing their first European title since winning the Champions League in 2021. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
